I bought a laptop cooling pad a while ago and now it only works sporadically. I think it is the USB power connection. If I "fiddle" with the connection, the fans sometimes start up again. My question is whether or not a cooling pad is really necessary or useful? Should I replace it? I have not had any problems with my laptop. Thanks for your help.

If you are using the cooling pad to keep your lap cool (some laptops do get very warm) get a lap desk. Much more efficient and comfortable. If just using the cooler under the laptop on a desk, I have found that just allowing clear space around the laptop, especially at the cooling fan discharge is sufficient to keep the laptop cool. You could always use the cooler without the cooling effect. This would allow airflow across the bottom of the laptop as well as around the sides and top.

The usb cable has a power connection that plugs into the cooling pad. I think it is the power connection in the cooling pad that is the problem. A standard USB cable will not work with the cooling pad.

I use a laptop all the time and just use a small plastic stand to try to make sure there is good airflow around the base all the time. These are small enough that they fit around the computer when I pack into a carry bag.

I have read of cases where these coolers cause more harm than good. Your laptop pulls fresh air in one opening and exhausts hot air from another. The vast majority of these coolers are designed to pull hot air away from the bottom of the laptop. If one of the fans, however, is situated over the laptop's intake, it can prevent the PC from getting enough cooling air, thus overheating. The best thing is to keep the laptop on a hard, smooth surface, elevate it (2-liter Coke caps work well), and use compressed air to blow the dust out on occasion.